Roadmap to democracy
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Myanmar's roadmap to democracy (Burmese: ဒီမိုကရေစီလမ်းပြမြေပုံ ၇ ချက်; officially the Roadmap to Discipline-flourishing Democracy), announced by General Khin Nyunt on 30 August 2003 in state media, provided a seven-step process in restoring democracy in the country.[1] Endorsed by the State Peace and Development Council, it essentially describes the reassembly of the National Convention (အမျိုးသားညီလာခံ) in Nyaunghnapin, Hmawbi Township, Yangon Division to write a constitution, hold a national referendum to approve the constitution, hold a general election to elect members to the Hluttaw (legislative body), and finally hold parliamentary sessions.
Phases
[edit]This road map has been variously translated into English as:[2]
- First Phase – To reassemble the National Convention, which had been suspended since 1996.
- Second Phase – To implement step by step the requisite tasks for the founding of a democratic system when the National Convention has been successfully concluded.
- Third Phase – To draw up a draft constitution based on the general concepts and detailed principles advocated by the National Convention.
- Fourth Phase – To hold a national referendum to endorse the draft constitution.
- Fifth Phase – To hold free and fair elections for the formation of the required national legislative bodies (Hluttaw).
- Sixth Phase – To convene the meeting of elected representative to the Hluttaw.
- Seventh Phase – The leaders, government and authoritative bodies elected by the Hluttaw to continue with the task of constructing a new democratic state.
The translation found in the New Light of Myanmar is as follows:[3]
- Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996.
- After the successful holding of the National Convention, step by step implementation of the process necessary for the emergence of a genuine and disciplined democratic system.
- Drafting of a new constitution in accordance with basic principles and detailed basic principles laid down by the National Convention.
- Adoption of the constitution through national referendum.
- Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution.
- Convening of Hluttaws attended by Hluttaw members in accordance with the new constitution.
- Building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the Hluttaw; and the government and other central organs formed by the Hluttaw.
Reaction
[edit]Exile media and pro-democracy groups were critical of the road map, for its lack of set deadlines or time frames.[1] The Myanmar Times claimed that the roadmap represented progress and hope for the eventual democratisation of the country.[4] UN envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari pressed for a more "credible and inclusive" roadmap in 2008.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Burma's Rigged Road Map to Democracy". Archived from the original on 25 August 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ "Road Map to Democracy in Myanmar". Archived from the original on 24 October 2010. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
- ^ http://www.myatmyanmar.net/EN/men20040811.pdf Archived 27 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
- ^ http://www.myanmar.gov.mm/myanmartimes/no186/MyanmarTimes10-186/032.htm [dead link]
- ^ "U.N. envoy wants 'credible' Myanmar democracy roadmap". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2010.